Coming home Newcastle.
Tomorrow is also a special day for both sets of fans, for England fans, Barcelona fans, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Fulham, West Brom, Ipswich and football in general as it will be one year since the legend that is Sir Bobby Robson passed on.
I won’t go into that too much in this article as I would prefer to write a whole article in tribute to the man, but the date, occasion and opposition should ensure that the match tomorrow is a memorable occasion for all concerned. It’s just a shame that I won’t be able to be there.
Newcastle head in to the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Norwich in their last pre-season outing, and although the result isn’t that important, nobody likes to lose games. Amazingly there was even murmurs of “Hughton out” last week from a small minority of fans, which really pissed me off, if you’ll pardon my French.
Although Norwich did beat us, it would take the most staunch die-hard Norwich fan to take offence when I say that PSV represent another step up in quality of opposition from last week. In fact it is set to be a tough week all round as we have three tough games, starting with PSV tomorrow; Deportivo la Coruna on Tuesday evening; and Rangers at Ibrox next Saturday, which is on TV aswell. Bonus!
Steve Harper and Fraser Forster are carrying slight knocks so it is questionable whether or not they will be risked for the game tomorrow. Tim Krul will step in again if they both miss out and will be looking to impress against a team from his home nation.
Danny Simpson is still out long term and has now been joined by Steven Taylor who will be out until some time in October. It’s doubtful whether or not Sol Campbell will feature, and judging by the pictures he could do with laying of the stotties and getting some extra training sessions in!
James Perch is back after recovering from a knock that kept him out of last weeks game at Norwich whilst Jonas Gutierrez could be given a first run out of pre-season. Nile Ranger, Haris Vuckic and Ryan Donaldson will all be playing for the reserves against Gatesheeeed tonight so I am unsure whether or not they will feature tomorrow.
I would expect that most of the players that can play will be given a run out at some point tomorrow, much like what has happened in our previous two matches. Fitness first is the case at the moment, and making sure we are in fine fettle come the start of the Premier League season.
Howay the lads!
Time – 3:00pm
Date – Saturday, 31st July, 2010.
Venue – St James’ Park, Newcastle.
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
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..Why not get a 
Yes
Any chance of television feed for this one? Would love to catch a bit of it online..
Just wanna clarified, if full-time ends as a draw,will friendly matches continue on till penalties????
No penalties in a regular friendly match. Only friendly mini tournaments.
Ok. thanks.
Just hope we don’t get thrash.
MDS – Doubtful, but there is one next weekend for the Rangers game.
AOD – Thrash? You can get cream for that
TOONSY back from haveing stitches oot was looking forward to see some ccc goals you talked aboot,in the huff now lol
Toonsy – maybe hes got energy though, i think he would complement Carroll…..i would like that lineup.
Carroll Rodallega
Routledge Nolan Smith Jonas
Enrique Colo Campbell Perch
I think it will be a more settled team than the previous games – with the youngsters in the reserves and Ferguson playing in the Milk Cup Hughton doesn’t need to give everyone football.
As the only home friendly Chris will want a good performance and result so I expect him to put out the best team he can and not end up playing people out of position for the sake of fitness.
Icedog – Funny you say that. I’m just sorting them out now. It will be a two part thingy. 1st one from the start of the season up to Christmas, 2nd will be after Christmas to the end of the season.
Piers, Smith and Nolan together is a nightmare for me. Guthri and Barton are far better footballers and I think at least one needs to play in the middle when available.
WhoTheVuckiHaris – ya that wasn’t the point….i think Rodallega would fit nicely into our squad
gyan is someone i would like at the toon,shame it wont happen like
i want to see a big rotation in our midfield, no particular order…nolan barton guthrie gosling smith vuckic
Is the match on TV?
FSS – No mate, well doubtful, but I can’t be certain.
Anyone see Zenit….damn they are doing work this transfer season….bruno alves 23 mil damn
@17, yeah the ruskie’s must be laundering their money at home these days!
WhoTheVuckicHaris says:
July 30, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Piers, Smith and Nolan together is a nightmare for me. Guthri and Barton are far better footballers and I think at least one needs to play in the middle when available.
————————–
I commented on that last week. A Nolan/Smith MF partnership could be a disaster in the Prem- especially form a pace eprspective. Personally would like to see Guthrie and Barton as first choice, with Nolan playing off of Carroll.
Barton’s best position is undoubtedly left back…
Go on then, I’ll bite
Left back where TC?
in the changing rooms? Couldn’t disagree more mate
Got it one DM.
I can’t stand the sight of him. I refuse to go to games when he’s fit – which luckily hasn’t been much.
I really don’t understand why anyone thinks he’s decent anymore – he went off the boil at City and he hasn’t done anything since to suggest he’s ever gonna be any good again.
Oh no wait sorry – he has – with his big fkin mouth!! As good as Gerrard – yeah right! Gerrard fkin Butler maybe. :rolls:
argh – i always get that smiley wrong
Looking forward to the match, I hope it is a fitting tribute to a very special man to both teams.
TC (20) – like him or loathe him, he is the best central midfield player on our books. As a result we need to play him.
I am just hoping Vuckic is given enough opportunities to develop this season, as he is our future.
TC agree 100% should not be at our club imo
Toon Chicken > I can’t stand the sight of him. I refuse to go to games when he’s fit – which luckily hasn’t been much.
I cant believe that you are being serious with that, I understand that lots of people dont like him, But your hatred of Joey over-rides your support of your club.
TOONSY not me @26 whats going on ?
I reckon if he stays completely fit (we all know how likely that is) he’ll start every league game for us. I also think Hughton rates him very highly indeed. Barton/Guthrie is easily our best midfield pairing. Mobile, creative and both hard tacklers. I think together they could form a fairly formidable duo. Personally
BIGANDY, somebody playing funny feckers m8
chicken shit – you carn’t hate barton as much as i hate your fat mate. yet it dont stop me buying my season ticket and supporting my team.
i reckon your nowt but an internet supporter at best.
Ice can Toonsy not find out who it is @ 26 as I know it was you @ 27 but im 99% it wasn’t you @ 26
ROY i went to most games last season,but still think j.b. should not be at sjp imo
Roy Cropper well said mate, I cant believe someone wouldn’t go to a match because Joey is playing but they would be willing to go while Fat MA owns the club
BIG DAVE,had the same happen the other day but worky said he found them and blocked it,maybe another one
Ice I completely understand how you feel mate, I mightn’t agree but I respect your opinion, but I wouldn’t understand if you stayed away because he was playing.
yeah I can remember it happened you must have a stalker mate, ask Toonsy to check it out as i’m all for a laugh and bit of banter but useing someone else’s name is a no no and is as low as a snakes belly
BIG DAVE,thats because your a decent bloke which i know,ill always cheer whoever pulls the shirt on,its as person i dis-like
bacon sandwich with mushrooms & beans @ £1.49.
roys rolls.
Mags@25 – how is he the best mid on our books? Tell me what he has done to warrant that honour?
No wait, i’ll tell you – f all – he’s either been injured or injail.
Guthrie, Nolan, Jonas, Routledge – even Smith are all miles better Toon players than Barton because they have contributed something to the club.
How much longer can Barton dine out on his one and only England cap?
Just had a look on Barton’s Wiki page.
The pic they have of him was taken outside court.
How apt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Barton
can you buy tickets on the day….and is it 20 pounds and kids free with paying adult….so me and my 7 year old will be 20 pounds????